Keeping Your Teeth Healthy: “How Often Should I Go to the Dentist?”

The question, “how often should I go to the dentist” has been on the minds of everyone in recent years. As life continues to accelerate and we adopt more and more chaotic habits, keeping track of everything can be difficult. So it’s not uncommon for some people to lose track of going to the dentist and end up with cavities, gingivitis, or worse.

Fortunately, dentists offer us a lot of guidance and helpful tips to assist us in determining precisely when and under what circumstances we should visit our family dentist’s office. With proper dental hygiene and a casual but firm approach to the matter, you won’t have to worry too much about your dental health in the near future.

The Typical Frequency of Your Visits

How often should I go to the dentist when my teeth are normal, and they don’t have cavities? This was one of the first questions I asked my new Lakewood dentist a few years ago. Her answer was that typically I should go at least once every 6 months.

There seems to be a consensus on this point between dentistry experts, despite the fact that this concept is a relatively new one. You might be surprised to find out that less than 50 years ago, dentists couldn’t give you a definite answer to how many times per year you should schedule an appointment. Moreover, the focus on personal dental hygiene and the use of preventive measures to avoid dental problems was not as developed as it is today. As a result, it’s far more prevalent that a dentist would advise you about these issues and call you into the office more frequently to check on your progress today, than it was any other time in history.

For many people, seeing a dentist twice each year is the average. In some cases, however, you’ll find that frequency will have to increase, especially if you have cavities or you’ve adopted certain habits that present you with a greater risk of having dental health problems in the future.

Special Cases and Children

If you have children, chances are that the family dentist or your new pediatric dentist has asked that they be brought in more frequently. Depending on whether they have a weaker dental structure, developmental issues or healthy teeth, the amount of time you have to wait between your children’s visits will vary.

Similarly, there are special cases in which your dentist might ask you to schedule more frequent appointments as well. These will typically include:

If you have cavities or gingivitis

If your teeth are misaligned

If you’ve taken up smoking or drinking

If you’re pregnant

If you have diabetes

If you contracted a bacterial infection and your immune response is weak.

For anyone with one or more of these problems, chances are an experienced dental practitioner will recommend a lot more than just a standard appointment once every 6 months. Knowing the answer to the question, “how often should I go to the dentist every year” will depend on your specific, personal health concerns and the overall strength of your teeth.